David Honda

Chief Honda was born and raised in San Jose, California. His parents grew up on the Island of Oahu and moved to California after his father completed his service in the United States Army. Chief Honda is third generation Japanese American (Sansei). He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from San Jose State University and his Master of Arts Degree from Saint Mary's College of California. He is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police and a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum.
Chief Honda became a police officer for the City of San Jose in 1990 where he worked a variety of assignments that included Patrol, Youth Services, Narcotics Enforcement, Violent Crimes Enforcement, Mobile Emergency and Response (SWAT), Robbery, Traffic Enforcement, and Internal Affairs. He promoted through the ranks overseeing various units and divisions within the San Jose Police Department from Patrol and Special Operations to Communications and Administration. He was hired as the Chief of Police for the beautiful and bustling City of Watsonville in April 2016 where he commands a department of 95 staff and serves a community of over 52,000 residents.